We all knew how good this guy was but how much better could he have been if he was n't such an unstable character ? A three weight title holder with magnificent defence and reflexes. Let's imagine that he'd have had a more grounded personality plus the self discipline of Sugar Ray Leonard,Thomas Hearns etc. If this had been the case we'd have been talking about the Fab 5 today instead of the Fab 4. How would El Radar's career have played out ? I still see him losing to Leonard albeit in an even closer battle as Ray was really special circa 1979-82. I reckon Benitez may have split a series with Hearns,though. And maybe...just maybe have inched out Marvin Hagler if they'd fought at the right moment. What do you all think ?
Cant c him beating Hearns or Hagler. I can c him picking a razor thin one off Ray if he comes in in great shape and focused. I thought the Leonard Benitez stoppage was a fix it was so bad
I don't think he would have accomplished much more. Hearns and Leonard would always be tough wins for him. He was not big enough to win a title at 160 lbs.
He was amazing. Guys like Ray and Hearns? Just too good, but Benitez did outclass Duran which is something overlooked, and I never saw Hearns miss a bodypunch, and he did with Wilfred. I can absolutely see Wilfred out boxing Hagler.
I think results up to Hearns would have been similar but he may have improved his longevity at the top. I think he would have outboxed Hagler for periods for sure but size probably would have hindered him overall.
I think his lack of longevity was probably Gregario's fault, for putting Wilfred in all those illegal street fights and subjecting him to brutal sparring throughout his childhood.
Only likely difference I see is that a more focused Benitez probably doesn't go life and death with Bruce Curry.
Benitez is one my favorites but his career looks only slightly different if he were more dedicated. For instance he wouldnt have some of the closer fights against guys like Curry and Weston and maybe he does better in losing to Leonard, or even manages a win against Leonard in a series, he might do better in the latter stages of his career and notch a win against Davey Moore but Hearns was too tall and rangy for him and, Hagler was too big and strong for him (as most middles were).
Gregorio Sr. seems like a complete monster. Two kids end up with brain damage, one with drug problems (and ironically probably that was better for him because it ended his career before he ended up with brain damage too). Gregorio Sr. and Tony Ayala Sr. always sickened me.
I agree with comments about a prime Hagler being too strong but if,in this alternative scenario,Benitez is still at the top in 1986/87 he would have possibley caught MMH at the right time.
